
Ballyhack Course
Ballyhack Golf Club
About this course
Ballyhack, carved into the rolling hills just outside Roanoke, is a love letter to the raw, untamed spirit of golf's origins. Designed by Lester George in the modern era, Ballyhack’s vast scale is immediately striking. The expansive fairways and dramatic elevation changes evoke the feel of linksland transplanted to the Virginia mountains, although the bentgrass provides a decidedly different playing surface than its seaside cousins. The routing presents a constant dialogue between golfer and landscape, with blind shots and severe undulations demanding strategic creativity. It is not particularly known outside of the region. However, the emphasis here is on imagination and daring, rather than clinical precision – a willingness to embrace the unexpected bounce, the hidden hollow, and the exhilarating recovery shot. Ballyhack fosters a communal spirit, a place where the game's inherent camaraderie is elevated. It's a haven for those who appreciate golf's historical roots and the challenge of navigating a course that prioritizes shotmaking over brute force. Known amongst its members for its exceptional hospitality and hearty post-round meals, Ballyhack offers a unique and memorable golfing experience for those fortunate enough to discover its charms.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in VA
Quick facts
- Location
- Roanoke, VA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Bill Kubly
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,294 yards
- Difficulty
- 76.6/155
- Course Vaults score
- 8.6
Getting there
Ballyhack Golf Club lies in the rolling piedmont southwest of Roanoke, most easily accessed via Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, a compact forty-minute drive to the east. The route traces Virginia's Route 116 through pastoral farmland and gentle ridgelines, the landscape gradually lifting as you approach the club's elevated perch above the Roanoke River valley. The final turn off the main road feels like a departure from the everyday - a winding ascent through hardwood forest that opens suddenly onto fairways carved from the ridgetop, offering your first glimpse of the dramatic terrain that defines this hidden gem in the Blue Ridge foothills.

FAQ
Common questions about Ballyhack
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Ballyhack has a Course Vaults score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 30 logged golfers.
Ballyhack was designed by Bill Kubly.
Yes. Ballyhack is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Ballyhack is 72.
Ballyhack plays 7,294 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Ballyhack is 155.



